A mechanism is provide for optimizing an automated test system during a problem determination phase of the test system in a distributed environment. A centralized execution controller receives first test suite comprising at least a first and second test fragment. The centralized execution controller receives at least one breakpoint definition comprising a condition for pausing the first test suite. The centralized execution controller sends the first test fragment and an execution command of the first test fragment to the distributed environment. The centralized execution controller receives an event definition and a hierarchy of event definitions describing the executed command. The centralized execution controller compares the at least one breakpoint description to the received event definition. The centralized execution controller pauses the test suite execution if the executed event definition matches one of the at least one breakpoint definition.